FloridaTreeHugger

Since this article was published in the Sand Paper, House budget negotiators have agreed to include $300 million to continue the state’s environmental land buying program, but, as of today,  Everglades restoration continues to be a point of contention as the two sides haggle it out. People need to continue to contact their legislators and express their desire that this very important funding not be left out.

 Most Southwest Florida residents overwhelmingly consider that their natural environment is important to their quality of life and believe that “the needs of not only people, but also wildlife must be the arbiters of growth and development decisions” according to a recent survey released by the Florida Audubon Society. This survey is especially relevant considering that the Florida House of Representatives is preparing to cut all funding for Everglades funding and the Florida Forever program for their 2008-2009 budget.

 The survey was released as a coalition of environmental groups files a lawsuit against the Army Corps of Engineers concerning the Marisol golf course development, recently given approval to build 1900 homes on the edge of the Corkscrew Swamp. The project affects the foraging areas of the endangered wood stork while also destroying some 645 acres of wetlands.
 ”There are important changes in the works all over the state concerning policy questions,” said Brad Cornell, Big Cypress Ecosystem Policy Associate. “It’s important to let our lawmakers know that even though the economy is in a downturn, this is a very big issue with our citizens.”
 The first-of-its-kind survey offers fresh insight into Southwest Floridians feel about their environment. The survey was conducted by Cookson Research Consulting and involved 400 residents of the Ft. Myers/Naples area.
 According to the results, 91% of those surveyed believe that wildlife must be considered when making public policy, while 67% believe the natural environment in Southwest Florida is deteriorating.
 68% of residents say that they have heard of the wood stork, and, in the survey, awareness of the bird increases as income increases. Even more telling is the fact that 89% believe that a combination of both growth restrictions and greater requirements on new development can help protect the wood stork and other threatened wildlife.
 In addition, two out of three residents believe that Southwest Florida is growing too fast - a greater percentage than other parts of Florida where growth is higher.
 ”This tracks very well with the things we already knew about what people in Lee, Collier and Charlotte Counties think,” said Cornell. “We needed to have something concrete to show to the county commissioners and city leaders. Now we can say, ‘Look, I know you have a lot of things to attend to, but the environment is important to your citizens and here is the proof,’” Brad explained.
 ”The research shows that wildlife, clean water and open spaces are very important to the people who live here, which is why they are so sensitive to anything that unnecessarily threatens the environment,” said Cornell.
 The Florida House of Representatives voted on the $65 million dollar budget Wednesday. The budget is almost 10% less than the current budget due to declining revenues. According to House Budget Chairman Ray Sansom, R-Destin, the budget will make a priority of schools, health care and public safety and take money away from the environment and transportation.
 This would be the first time in 30 years that the House has passed a bill with no land conservation funding and the first budget in eight years without Everglades funds. House Speaker Marco Rubio said that work could continue on Everglades restoration with money that had from old bond issues, but state and local environmental leaders aren’t so sure.
 Florida Department of Environmental Protection spokeswoman Sarah P. Williams said that the money could stop land buying in the northern Everglades where restoration projects are planned. In addition, local Conservation 20/20 efforts such as Babcock Ranch and the loss of Florida Forever money could be “disastrous”, according to Andrew McElwaine, president of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida.
 ”It would be a terrible loss to this region. We’d be losing a partner and a valuable one having anything to do with parks and recreation and natural lands preservation,” he said. He added that the purchase of the 2,500-acre Pepper Ranch, prime panther habitat that stands at the headwaters of Lake Trafford, would be uncertain without the money.
“What people need to know is that this money also goes for parks and greenways that they need for recreation,” he said. “We need to preserve these green spaces before they’re gone.”
 Brad told us that once the House passes its version of the bill, it will then go to the Senate - who has recommended $300 million for Florida Forever and $100 million for Everglades restoration, and then the two will go to a conference committee to come up with a single version of the bill.
 Eric Dranper is the state Policy Director for Audubon of Florida. He told us that the Audubon Society doesn’t usually do surveys but felt that one was necessary to gauge how folks here in Southwest Florida really feel about their environment. “We’re doing so much work there, we didn’t want to feel like we were going against what the public believed in,” he said. Eric is positive about the outcome of the survey, saying, “The survey proved that people don’t believe the environment should be marginalized.”
 Right now Eric Dranper and his colleagues have their hands full in Tallahassee. They are busy trying to persuade the House to take the Senate’s position. “I’m hopeful that we will succeed,” he said, “But everyone needs to communicate with their legislators and tell them that they don’t want to lose this funding. People need to understand how important this is and that losing it is unacceptable.”
 ”We’re not saying that all development is bad, it just has to be responsible,” Brad Cornell explained. “The fact is that people want a balance, and they demand that policymakers make good policy.” He added that surveys like the one Audubon conducted become especially relevant when lawmakers meet to set their budgets, and Brad is worried about the outcome of Wednesday’s vote.
 ”What kind of message does that send to Washington when we won’t even fund Everglades restoration ourselves?”

    Keri Hendry - published in the Island Sand Paper April 11, 2008